The M54 to M6 Link Road Development Consent Order 2022

PART 5 POWERS OF ACQUISITION AND POSSESSION

Compulsory acquisition of land

20.—(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of the Order land as is required for the authorised development, or to facilitate it, or is incidental to it.

(2) This article is subject to paragraph (2) of article 23 (compulsory acquisition of rights and imposition of restrictive covenants) and paragraph (9) of article 29 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development).

Compulsory acquisition of land – incorporation of the mineral code

21.  Part 2 of Schedule 2 (minerals) to the Acquisition of Land Act 1981(1) (minerals) is incorporated in this Order subject to the modification that for “the acquiring authority” substitute “the undertaker”.

Time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily

22.—(1) After the end of the period of 5 years beginning on the day on which this Order is made—

(a) no notice to treat is to be served under Part 1 of the 1965 Act as modified by article 25 (modification of Part 1 of the 1965 Act); and

(b) no declaration is to be executed under section 4 (execution of declaration) of the 1981 Act as applied by article 26 (application of the 1981 Act).

(2) The authority conferred by article 29 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development) ceases at the end of the period referred to in paragraph (1), except that nothing in this paragraph prevents the undertaker remaining in possession of land after the end of that period, if the land was entered and possession was taken before the end of that period.

Compulsory acquisition of rights and imposition of restrictive covenants

23.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (4), the undertaker may acquire such rights over the Order land, or impose restrictive covenants affecting the Order land, as may be required for any purpose for which that land may be acquired under article 20 (compulsory acquisition of land) by creating them as well as acquiring rights already in existence.

(2) In the case of the Order land specified in column (1) of Schedule 5 (land in which only new rights etc. may be acquired) the undertaker’s powers of compulsory acquisition are limited to the acquisition of such wayleaves, easements, new rights in the land or the imposition of restrictive covenants, as may be required for the purpose specified in relation to that land in column (2) of that Schedule.

(3) The power to impose restrictive covenants under paragraph (1) is exercisable only in respect of plots specified in column (1) of Schedule 5.

(4) Subject to Schedule 2A (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in notice to treat) to the 1965 Act, as substituted by paragraph 5(8) of Schedule 6 (modification of compensation and compulsory purchase enactments for creation of new rights and imposition of restrictive covenants), where the undertaker acquires a right over land or the benefit of a restrictive covenant affecting land under paragraph (1) or (2), the undertaker is not required to acquire a greater interest in that land.

(5) Schedule 6 has effect for the purpose of modifying the enactments relating to compensation and the provisions of the 1965 Act in their application in relation to the compulsory acquisition under this article of a right over land by the creation of a new right or the imposition of a restrictive covenant.

Private rights over land

24.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights over land subject to compulsory acquisition under this Order are extinguished—

(a) from the date of acquisition of the land by the undertaker, whether compulsorily or by agreement; or

(b) on the date of entry on the land by the undertaker under section 11(1)(2) (power of entry) of the 1965 Act,

whichever is the earlier.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights over land subject to the compulsory acquisition of rights or the imposition of restrictive covenants under this Order are extinguished in so far as their continuance would be inconsistent with the exercise of the right or burden of the restrictive covenant—

(a) as from the date of the acquisition of the right or the benefit of the restrictive covenant by the undertaker, whether compulsorily or by agreement; or

(b) on the date of entry on the land by the undertaker under section 11(1) of the 1965 Act,

whichever is the earlier.

(3) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights over land owned by the undertaker that are within the Order limits are extinguished on commencement of any activity authorised by this Order which interferes with or breaches those rights.

(4) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights over land of which the undertaker takes temporary possession under this Order are suspended and unenforceable for as long as the undertaker remains in lawful possession of the land.

(5) Any person who suffers loss by the extinguishment or suspension of any private right under this article is entitled to compensation in accordance with the terms of section 152 (compensation in case where no right to claim in nuisance) of the 2008 Act to be determined, in case of dispute, as if it were a dispute under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(6) This article does not apply in relation to any right to which section 138(3) (extinguishment of rights, and removal of apparatus, of statutory undertakers etc.) of the 2008 Act or article 31 (statutory undertakers) applies.

(7) Paragraphs (1) to (4) have effect subject to—

(a) any notice given by the undertaker before—

(i) the completion of the acquisition of the land or the acquisition of the rights or the imposition of restrictive covenants over or affecting the land;

(ii) the undertaker’s appropriation of it;

(iii) the undertaker’s entry onto it; or

(iv) the undertaker’s taking temporary possession of it,

that any or all of those paragraphs do not apply to any right specified in the notice; and

(b) any agreement made at any time between the undertaker and the person in or to whom the right in question is vested or belongs.

(8) If any such agreement as is referred to in paragraph (7)(b)—

(a) is made with a person in or to whom the right is vested or belongs; and

(b) is expressed to have effect also for the benefit of those deriving title from or under that person,

it is effective in respect of the persons so deriving title, whether the title was derived before or after the making of the agreement.

(9) References in this article to private rights over land include any trust, incident, easement, liberty, privilege, right or advantage annexed to land and adversely affecting other land, including any natural right to support and include restrictions as to the user of land arising by virtue of a contract, agreement or undertaking having that effect.

Modification of Part 1 of the 1965 Act

25.—(1) Part 1 of the 1965 Act, as applied to this Order by section 125(4) (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act is modified as follows.

(2) In section 4A(1)(5) (extension of time limit during challenge)—

(a) for “section 23 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (application to the High Court in respect of compulsory purchase order)” substitute “section 118 (legal challenges relating to applications for orders granting development consent) of the Planning Act 2008”; and

(b) for “the three year period mentioned in section 4” substitute “the five year period mentioned in article 22 (time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily) of the M54 to M6 Link Road Development Consent Order 2022”.

(3) In section 11A(6) (powers of entry; further notice of entry)—

(a) in subsection (1)(a), after “land” insert “under that provision”;

(b) in subsection (2), after “land” insert “under that provision”.

(4) In section 22(2) (expiry of time limit for exercise of compulsory purchase power not to affect acquisition of interests omitted from purchase), for “section 4 of this Act” substitute “article 22 (time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily) of the M54 to M6 Link Road Development Consent Order 2022”.

(5) In Schedule 2A (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in notice to treat)—

(a) for paragraphs 1(2) and 14(2) substitute—

“(2) But see article 27(3) (acquisition of subsoil and airspace only) of the M54 to M6 Link Road Development Consent Order 2022, which excludes the acquisition of subsoil or airspace only from this Schedule.”; and

(b) after paragraph 29, insert—

“PART 4 INTERPRETATION

30.   In this Schedule, references to entering on and taking possession of land do not include doing so under articles 18 (protective work to buildings), 29 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development) or 30 (temporary use of land for maintaining the authorised development) of the M54 to M6 Link Road Development Consent Order 2022.”.

Application of the 1981 Act

26.—(1) The 1981 Act applies as if this Order were a compulsory purchase order.

(2) The 1981 Act, as applied by paragraph (1), has effect with the modifications.

(3) In section 1 (application of Act) for subsection 2 substitute—

“(2) This section applies to any Minister, any local or other public authority or any other body or person authorised to acquire land by means of a compulsory purchase order.”.

(4) In section 5(7) (earliest date for execution of declaration), in subsection (2), omit the words from “, and this subsection” to the end.

(5) Omit section 5A(8) (time limit for a general vesting declaration).

(6) In section 5B(1)(9) (extension of time limit during challenge)—

(a) for “section 23 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (application to High Court in respect of compulsory purchase order)” substitute “section 118 (legal challenges relating to applications for orders granting development consent) of the Planning Act 2008”; and

(b) for “the three year period mentioned in section 5A” substitute “the five year period mentioned in article 22 (time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily) of the M54 to M6 Link Road Development Consent Order 2022”.

(7) In section 6(10) (notices after execution of declaration) in subsection (1)(b) for “section 15 of, or paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to, the Acquisition of Land Act 1981” substitute “section 134 (notice of authorisation of compulsory acquisition) of the Planning Act 2008”.

(8) In section 7(11) (constructive notice to treat) in subsection (1)(a), omit “(as modified by section 4 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981)”.

(9) In Schedule A1(12) (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in general vesting declaration), omit paragraph 1(2).

(10) References to the 1965 Act in the 1981 Act are to be construed as references to the 1965 Act as applied by section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act (and as modified by article 25 (modification of Part 1 of the 1965 Act)) to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order.

Acquisition of subsoil or airspace only

27.—(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of, or such rights in, the subsoil of or of the airspace over the land referred to in paragraph (1) of article 20 (compulsory acquisition of land) as may be required for any purpose for which that land may be acquired under that provision instead of acquiring the whole of the land.

(2) Where the undertaker acquires any part of, or rights in, the subsoil of or the airspace over land referred to in paragraph (1), the undertaker is not required to acquire an interest in any other part of the land.

(3) The following do not apply in connection with the exercise of the power under paragraph (1) in relation to subsoil or airspace only—

(a) Schedule 2A (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in notice to treat) to the 1965 Act as modified by article 25 (modification of Part 1 of the 1965 Act);

(b) Schedule A1 (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in general vesting declaration) to the 1981 Act; and

(c) Section 153(4A)(13) (blighted land; proposed acquisition of part interest; material detriment test) of the 1990 Act.

(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) are to be disregarded where the undertaker acquires a cellar, vault, arch or other construction forming part of a house, building or manufactory or airspace above a house, building or manufactory.

Rights under or over streets

28.—(1) The undertaker may enter on and appropriate so much of the subsoil of, or airspace over, any street within the Order limits as may be required for the purposes of the authorised development and may use the subsoil or airspace for those purposes or any other purpose ancillary to the authorised development.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the undertaker may exercise any power conferred by paragraph (1) in relation to a street without being required to acquire any part of the street or any easement or right in the street.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply in relation to—

(a) any subway or underground building; or

(b) any cellar, vault, arch or other construction in, on or under a street which forms part of a building fronting onto the street.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), any person who is an owner or occupier of land in respect of which the power of appropriation conferred by paragraph (1) is exercised without the undertaker acquiring any part of that person’s interest in the land, and who suffers loss as a result, will be entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, as if it were a dispute under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(5) Compensation is not payable under paragraph (4) to any person who is an undertaker to whom section 85 (sharing cost of necessary measures) of the 1991 Act applies in respect of measures of which the allowable costs are to be borne in accordance with that section.

Temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development

29.—(1) The undertaker may, in connection with the carrying out of the authorised development but subject to article 20(2) (time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily)—

(a) enter on and take temporary possession of—

(i) the land specified in column (1) of Schedule 7 (land of which temporary possession may be taken) for the purpose specified in relation to that land in column (2) of that Schedule relating to the part of the authorised development specified in column (3) of that Schedule; and

(ii) any other Order land in respect of which no notice of entry has been served under section 11 (powers of entry) of the 1965 Act (other than in connection with the acquisition of rights only) and no declaration has been made under section 4 (execution of declaration) of the 1981 Act;

(b) remove any buildings and vegetation from that land;

(c) construct temporary works (including the provision of means of access) and buildings on that land; and

(d) construct any works on that land as are mentioned in Schedule 1 (authorised development).

(2) Not less than 14 days before entering on and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker must serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land and explain the purpose for which entry is taken in respect of land specified under paragraph (1)(a)(ii).

(3) The undertaker may not, without the agreement of the owners of the land, remain in possession of any land under this article—

(a) in the case of land specified in paragraph (1)(a)(i), after the end of the period of one year beginning with the date of completion of the part of the authorised development specified in relation to that land in column (3) of Schedule 7, or

(b) in the case of any land referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(ii), after the end of the period of one year beginning with the date of completion of the work for which temporary possession of the land was taken unless the undertaker has, by the end of that period, served a notice of entry under section 11 of the 1965 Act or made a declaration under section (4) of the 1981 Act in relation to that land.

(4) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker must remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land; but the undertaker is not required to—

(a) replace a building removed under this article;

(b) restore the land on which any permanent works have been constructed under paragraph (1)(d);

(c) remove any ground strengthening works which have been placed on the land to facilitate construction of the authorised development; or

(d) remove any measures installed over or around statutory undertakers’ apparatus to protect that apparatus from the authorised development.

(5) The undertaker must pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land of which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the provisions of this article.

(6) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (5), or as to the amount of the compensation, is to be determined as if it were a dispute under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(7) Any dispute as to the satisfactory removal of temporary works and restoration of land under paragraph (4) does not prevent the undertaker giving up possession of the land.

(8) Nothing in this article affects any liability to pay compensation under section 152 (compensation in case where no right to claim in nuisance) of the 2008 Act or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the carrying out of the authorised development, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (5).

(9) The undertaker may not compulsorily acquire under this Order the land referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i).

(10) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, the undertaker is not required to acquire the land or any interest in it.

(11) Section 13(14) (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) of the 1965 Act applies to the temporary use of land under this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act.

Temporary use of land for maintaining the authorised development

30.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), at any time during the maintenance period relating to any part of the authorised development, the undertaker may—

(a) enter upon and take temporary possession of any land within the Order limits if such possession is reasonably required for the purpose of maintaining the authorised development; and

(b) construct such temporary works (including the provision of means of access) and buildings on the land as may be reasonably necessary for that purpose.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not authorise the undertaker to take temporary possession of—

(a) any house or garden belonging to a house; or

(b) any building (other than a house) if it is for the time being occupied.

(3) Not less than 28 days before entering upon and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker must serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land and that notice must state the purpose for which entry is taken.

(4) The undertaker may only remain in possession of land under this article for so long as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the maintenance of the part of the authorised development for which possession of the land was taken.

(5) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker must remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land.

(6) The undertaker must pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land of which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the powers conferred by this article.

(7) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (6), or as to the amount of the compensation, is to be determined as if it were a dispute under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(8) Nothing in this article affects any liability to pay compensation under section 152 (compensation in case where no right to claim in nuisance) of the 2008 Act or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the execution of any works, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (6).

(9) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, the undertaker is not required to acquire the land or any interest in it.

(10) Section 13 (refusal to give possession to the acquiring authority) of the 1965 Act applies to the temporary use of land pursuant to this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act.

(11) In this article “the maintenance period”, in relation to any part of the authorised development means the period of 5 years beginning with the date on which that part of the authorised development is first opened for use.

Statutory undertakers

31.—(1) Subject to the provisions of article 23 (compulsory acquisition of rights and imposition of restrictive covenants), Schedule 9 (protective provisions) and paragraph (2), the undertaker may—

(a) acquire compulsorily, or acquire new rights or impose restrictive covenants over any Order land belonging to statutory undertakers; and

(b) extinguish the rights of, and remove or reposition apparatus belonging to, statutory undertakers over or within the Order land.

(2) Paragraph (1)(b) has no effect in relation to apparatus in respect of which the following provisions apply—

(a) Part 3 (street works in England and Wales) of the 1991 Act; and

(b) article 32 (apparatus and rights of statutory undertakers in stopped up streets).

Apparatus and rights of statutory undertakers in stopped up streets

32.—(1) Where a street is stopped up under article 13 (permanent stopping up and restriction of use of streets, public rights of way and private means of access), any statutory utility whose apparatus is under, in, on, along or across the street has the same powers and rights in respect of that apparatus, subject to the provisions of this article, as if this Order had not been made.

(2) Where a street is stopped up under article 13 any statutory utility whose apparatus is under, in, on, over, along or across the street may, and if reasonably requested to do so by the undertaker must—

(a) remove the apparatus and place it or other apparatus provided in substitution for it in such other position as the statutory utility may reasonably determine and have power to place it; or

(b) provide other apparatus in substitution for the existing apparatus and place it in such position as described in sub-paragraph (a).

(3) Subject to the following provisions of this article, the undertaker must pay to any statutory utility an amount equal to the cost reasonably incurred by the statutory utility in or in connection with—

(a) the execution of the relocation works required in consequence of the stopping up of the street; and

(b) the doing of any other work or thing rendered necessary by the execution of the relocation works.

(4) If in the course of the execution of relocation works under paragraph (2)—

(a) apparatus of a better type, of greater capacity or of greater dimensions is placed in substitution for existing apparatus; or

(b) apparatus (whether existing apparatus or apparatus substituted for existing apparatus) is placed at a depth greater than the depth at which the existing apparatus was,

and the placing of apparatus of that type or capacity or of those dimensions or the placing of apparatus at that depth, as the case may be, is not agreed by the undertaker, or, in default of agreement, is not determined by arbitration to be necessary, then, if it involves cost in the execution of the relocation works exceeding that which would have been involved if the apparatus placed had been of the existing type, capacity or dimensions, or at the existing depth, as the case may be, the amount which, apart from this paragraph, would be payable to the statutory utility by virtue of paragraph (3) is to be reduced by the amount of that excess.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4)—

(a) an extension of apparatus to a length greater than the length of existing apparatus is not to be treated as a placing of apparatus of greater dimensions than those of the existing apparatus; and

(b) where the provision of a joint in a cable is agreed, or is determined to be necessary, the consequential provision of a jointing chamber or of a manhole is to be treated as if it also had been agreed or had been so determined.

(6) An amount which, apart from this paragraph, would be payable to a statutory utility in respect of works by virtue of paragraph (3) (and having regard, where relevant, to paragraph (4)) must, if the works include the placing of apparatus provided in substitution for apparatus placed more than 7 years and 6 months earlier so as to confer on the statutory utility any financial benefit by deferment of the time for renewal of the apparatus in the ordinary course, be reduced by the amount which represents that benefit.

(7) Paragraphs (3) to (6) do not apply where the authorised development constitutes major highway works, major bridge works or major transport works for the purposes of Part 3 of the 1991 Act, but instead—

(a) the allowable costs of the relocation works are to be determined in accordance with section 85 (sharing of cost of necessary measures) of that Act and any regulations for the time being having effect under that section; and

(b) the allowable costs are to be borne by the undertaker and the statutory utility in such proportions as may be prescribed by any such regulations.

(8) In this article—

“apparatus” has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the 1991 Act;

“relocation works” means work executed, or apparatus provided, under paragraph (2); and

“statutory utility” means a statutory undertaker for the purposes of the 1980 Act or a public communications provider as defined in section 151(1) (interpretation of Chapter 1) of the Communications Act 2003(15).

Recovery of costs of new connections

33.—(1) Where any apparatus of a public utility undertaker or of a public communications provider is removed under article 31 (statutory undertakers) any person who is the owner or occupier of premises to which a supply was given from that apparatus is entitled to recover from the undertaker compensation in respect of expenditure reasonably incurred by that person, in consequence of the removal, for the purpose of effecting a connection between the premises and any other apparatus from which a supply is given.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of the removal of a public sewer but where such a sewer is removed under article 31, any person who is—

(a) the owner or occupier of premises the drains of which communicated with that sewer; or

(b) the owner of a private sewer which communicated with that sewer,

is entitled to recover from the undertaker compensation in respect of expenditure reasonably incurred by that person, in consequence of the removal, for the purpose of making the drain or sewer belonging to that person communicate with any other public sewer or with a private sewerage disposal plant.

(3) This article does not have effect in relation to apparatus to which article 32 (apparatus and rights of statutory undertakers in stopped up streets) or Part 3 of the 1991 Act applies.

(4) In this article—

“public communications provider” has the same meaning as in section 151(1) of the Communications Act 2003; and

“public utility undertaker” means a gas, water, electricity or sewerage undertaker.

(1)

1981 c. 67.

(2)

Section 11(1) was amended by section 34(1) of, and Schedule 4 to, the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (c. 67), section 14 of, and paragraph 12(1) of Schedule 5 to, the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2006 (2006 No. 1) and sections 186(1) and (2), 187 and 188 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22).

(3)

Section 138 was amended by section 23(1) and (4) of the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27) and S.I. 2017/1285.

(4)

Section 125 was amended by section 190 of, and paragraph 17 of Schedule 16 to, the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22).

(5)

Section 4A(1) was inserted by section 202(1) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(6)

Section 11A was inserted by section 186(3) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(7)

Section 5 was amended by paragraphs 4 and 6 of Schedule 15 to the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22).

(8)

Section 5A was inserted by section 182(2) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(9)

Section 5B(1) was inserted by section 202(2) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(10)

Section 6 was amended by section 4 of, and paragraph 52(2) of Schedule 2 to, the Planning (Consequential Provisions) Act 1990 (c. 11) and paragraph 7 of Schedule 15 to the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(11)

Section 7(1) was substituted by paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 18 to the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(12)

Schedule A1 was inserted by paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 18 to the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(13)

Subsection (4A) of section 153 was inserted by section 200(1) and (2) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(14)

Section 13 was amended by sections 62(3) and 139 of, and paragraphs 27 and 28 of Schedule 13, and Part 3 of Schedule 23 to, the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15).

(15)

2003 c. 21. There are amendments to section 151(1) which are not relevant to this Order.